Selectively embossed surface coverings and processes of manufacture

Abstract

Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet radiation which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing. In another variant, two different spectral regions of UV curing radiation are used so that a urethane coating can be employed as a top coat with a selectively embossed surface.

1. A surface covering which comprises:
 (a) a substrate, 
 (b) a foamed plastic layer overlaying the substrate, 
 (c) a first ink containing a photoinitiator printed in a design on said foamed plastic layer, optionally a second ink containing an inhibitor printed in a design on said foamed plastic layer and, optionally, a third ink which does not contain an inhibitor or photoinitiator printed on said foamed plastic layer, 
 (d) a cured coating or a cured layer containing a crosslinkable photopolymer or monomer overlaying the foamed plastic layer and first ink wherein the portion of the cured coating or the cured layer disposed over the first ink is mechanically embossed with a first mechanically embossed texture which is UV cured having relatively deep emboss depths as compared with a matting grain; the portion of the cured coating or the cured layer disposed over the optional second ink is chemically embossed and the portion of the cured coating or the cured layer that is not disposed over the first ink is not mechanically embossed with the first mechanically embossed texture. 
 
     
     
       2. The surface covering of  claim 1  wherein the first ink also contains an inhibitor and the portion of the cured coating or the cured layer disposed over the first ink also is chemically embossed. 
     
     
       3. The surface covering of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the cured coating or cured layer which is not disposed over the first ink and the optional second ink is mechanically embossed with a second mechanically embossed texture different from the first mechanically embossed texture. 
     
     
       4. The surface covering of  claim 1  further comprising a polyurethane coating overlaying the cured coating or cured layer. 
     
     
       5. A surface covering which comprises:
 (a) a substrate, 
 (b) a foamed and chemically embossed plastic layer overlaying the substrate, 
 (c) an ink containing a photoinitiator printed in a design on said foamed plastic layer, 
 (d) a cured coating or a cured layer containing a crosslinkable photopolymer or monomer overlaying the foamed plastic layer and ink wherein the portion of the cured coating or the cured layer disposed over the ink is chemically embossed and mechanically embossed with a mechanically embossed texture which is UV cured having relatively deep emboss depths as compared with a matting grain, and the portion of the cured coating or the cured layer not disposed over the ink is not mechanically embossed, 
 (e) a top coat wear layer overlaying the cured coating or the cured layer and being comprised of polyurethane.